Due to the housing bust and subsequent financial crisis, this isn't your typical post-recession recovery as consumers, businesses, and governments (here and abroad) continue to de-lever from excessive debt levels. Countries like Japan have shown that recoveries following an asset bubble can last for years-- and in their case, for decades.

As a result, excess capacity such as those filling the ranks of the unemployed are prevalent and continue to linger. While the Unemployment Rate has fallen from the low double digits, it remains well above the pre-recession lows of 4-5% and prospects for a return to those levels do not appear imminent anytime soon. More importantly, individuals who suffer from long term unemployment continue to remain elevated.

It actually was in his speech, more help for the unemployed that basically a stimulus package. It gave no details specifically, just more help needed for the unemployed, they are hurting for too long and without benefits they can't continue to purchase etc. He didn't specifically mention 99ers though.

So true. Watched Bloomberg early this morning, three analysts feel that with the German offer of loans and the fed's meeting, there is a signal that the austerity period is ending and they want all to ease and make money available, particularly in the area of unemployment, no jobs, no money, no spending etc.

When I can get the link I will post. Apparently, all eyes are watching and waiting for the signal from them, as this could significantly change the world's economy.Not an expert here, but it is showing we may get some additional help.

As far as Speaker Boehner and his talking points on leadership, he needs to get his house in order before making any further comments on "leadership in the White House".

Well said Mary Kay. Boehner and McConnell and all those need to get their house in order. I still believe that Boehner and his bunch want the group of us long term unemployed to drop dead!! But maybe there is a little ray of hope out there on the horizon!!

Also nothing will change until Boehner and his bunch get voted out and Dems are voted in. The Repubs would like to see the group of us drop dead

DId you see Boehner on Tv, when they broadcasted the anniversary of 911, at the Pentagon? Each one gave a small little talk, while Boehner teared up in the background...then when it was his time to speak, he could barely get it out...cried all the way thru it.

I find it hard to believe that those tears showed some sign of compassion for his fellow man. We've been crying for years now!

The feds have no answer nor rescue for anyone but bankers and corporate investors/interests.

It is time to make the unemployed voices heard loud and clear before they steal away all of our still much needed emergency benefits at the end of this year (without ever fixing any problems that would help us get back to steady work in the foreseeable future over the past four).

So I am back again. I have an "answer". I want to help...with this Petition for the Unemployed to Sign:

The Obama Administration is Robbing the Unemployed out of ARRA Funds https://www.change.org/petitions/the-obama-administration-is-robbing-the-unemployed-out-of-arra-funds(see separate thread in Part Time Penalty)

I am back seeking help with the continued attacks against myself and the unemployed, that are coming from a minority of thoughtless Democrats mobbing everything I say on Daily KOS at this thread here:

The Obama Administration is Robbing the Unemployed out of ARRA Fundshttp://www.dailykos.com/story/2012/09/13/1131213/-The-Obama-Administration-is-Robbing-the-Unemployed-out-of-ARRA-Funds(jerkyspace=corazonroto)

Please make your voice heard on Daily KOS and respond to this thread in order to help defend these poor unemployed friends of ours, and yourselves that THEY seem to have forgotten about (I have not):

Yesterday I found your blog and found that we are in the same situation. Yesterday I received notice from EDD of my new benefit weekly amount that reflects the part time temporary and it shows I will only receive $81 per week, when I was used to receiving $305 per week from the original job or parent claim. Do you think I still have a chance and tell EDD rep that there is a Deferred New Claim program or the HR4213 that should allow me to stay on my parent claim? What advice can you give me. I have no idea how I am going to continue living with $81 per week with me and my 3 young kids. I am so depressed at this situation, I was only trying to do the right thing to take a part-time job and now I am being penalized for doing so.

Rdp321Member

2.by Feyth on Sun Jul 03, 2011 7:10 am

Just wanted to thank jerkyspace for all the great info. After going through all this myself, I concur. I also received the runaround trying to appeal. Was promised a form that never arrived, etc. After searching the net for any indication that an appeal --even if I could get one-- would stand a chance, I gave up. As my new lowered benefit is less than what I am currently earning from my part-time job, no more assistance for me.

I also wanted to point out that the recent money EDD received from the feds makes the whole situation worse. Before, EDD had to wait one quarter before filing these lowered benefit awards, according to their benefit year formula. CA received the new fed funds after "updating" their systems, which allowed them to redefine this formula.

Now, EDD will automatically examine earnings at the end of every quarter. So anyone who worked part-time/temporarily during April, May and/or June may receive a lowered claim notice in the next few days.

Personally, I've had to do some soul-searching as to what battles I'm able to take on while struggling to survive day by day. I do what I can. I have great respect for those who are able to do more. Heartfelt thanks.

3.by evw59 on Sat Jul 09, 2011 3:08 pm

mj33 wrote:Im sure you'll certainly have your insight and thoughts well prepared as candidly and firmly as possible. Keep us all informed on this battle.The woman turned out to be nothing but a mouth piece. She basically said that they followed the law,duh! that's why I contacted a lawmaker. I explained to her that she needs to inform her boss that there are flaws in the law. She kept going back to the july 2010 date. When I explained that I was reduced on my 2nd bye which date was May 2011 she really didn't have any explaination. After you take a claim and do 26 weeks, if EUC is available it should be used 1st reguardless of any EUC untouchable balance on the so-called parent claim.

4.Re: Appeal?

From stuck To jerkyspace, Sat Feb 04, 2012 10:34 amExactly as I thought. I would need to appeal to the board. Thank you for the very informative reply, as always it is much appreciated! I know that was a very lengthy and time consuming task.

I will definitely give Elena a call before I fully prepare all of the paperwork to send in to the appeal and hear what she has to say on the matter (and as well as your case). Which case number should I cite for her that was your win?

And yes, I did tell the ALJ about your case and the case number. As I wrote earlier she told me she was very interested in seeing what happened with it. I guess her interest faded when she came to the the same conclusion as your first case had before you appealed yourself.

Need advice with California EDDI recently had to re certify my unemployment claim after I been on it for a year. I worked a part time job during this year and when I went to re certify my claim on 9/1/10 they told me my new benefit amount was being reduced from $300 a week to $42 a week.

I know in July of this year legislation was passed to protect people in my situation from being penalize if their benefit amount was being reduced by $100 or 25%.

After telling the Representative this she denied any law was passed and after being passed around on the phone I finally had a supervisor admit that the law is on the books but California has no procedure in place to file new claims under the new law and I have to collect the new benefit amount until they come up with something.

Remember this law was passed in July and were in September and they still have no procedure in place to pay out the benefit amount I'm entitled to.

Does anyone know anyway to speed this process up. I asked to appeal the new amount but the supervisor told me I can't appeal anything because I wasn't denied benefits. Is this true? That don't sound right. I don't believe anything they tell me now after being lied to by three different people regarding the law that was passed.

Any advice or tips that can lead me in the right direction to get this fixed would be appreciated. Thank you.

Ok, Unfortunately you are going to have to wait. Step in line, behind me. LOL I've been waiting a long time but my circumstances are a little different.

You have the date you originally opened your claim. From that date until a year passes, is your "benefit year". You obviously received 26 weeks and were on an extension and your benefit year ended. So, you had earnings in that year and may be eligible for a "state funded" new claim. It's a requirement that you file it and collect any benefits on it before you can continue on your extensions. In my case, my benefits went down to $89 a week and I had worked about 2 1/2 months full time so it sounds like you did about the same. Sooooo..... probably around 11 weeks of $82 a week "until they come up with something. I sooo feel your frustration.

I can't believe this!I was on tier 2 of my extension when i took a job in dec09/jan10, this job lasted 3 weeks and I made $2900(I live in Illinois). So when my benifit year ended in april 2010 they told me that I will be collecting a new "lower amount". I went from maximum amount to minimum amount for 6 months. It killed me! Last week that "standard" 26 weeks was over. I just recieved a letter stating that i would be put back on the extension for that same lower amount! I kept thinking I would go back to my "original" claim extension amount. I have hopes that this new law will pertain to me and my situation. I was even told 6 months ago that I would go back to the original amount. I don't get it!

I wanted to add on this post a copy of the e-mail I sent to my Congressman and both Senators. I think my situation is the same as most and more and more are discovering it each week.

Here is the text:

I wanted to comment about one of the provisions of HR 4213.

I lost my job in December 2008, and went on unemployment. At that time, I received the maximum amount of $427 per week. I started my job search and was able to find a few temp jobs and a seasonal job as well, but nothing that was either full-time or permanent.

At the beginning of November, 2009, I had to apply for 1st tier Federal extension and received 4 weeks at $421. My State benefit year then ended on the first week of December and I had to open a new claim. This time the amount was for $321.

Again, I was able to find temp work, a job with the Census and a summer job.

In November, I ran out of my regular state benefits and applied for a tier 1 Federal extension and received a claim judgment for $321 per week, however, there had been earlier legislation that kept my previously claimed extension open and I was being paid from that at $427. In other words, pay the oldest claim first.

The problem came at the end of this past benefit year on the first week ofDecember. I again applied for a new year as required and was given a WBA of $126.

I heard of a provision in HR 4213 that allowed for individuals to stay on their federal extension if their new amount was either $100 or 25% less than they were receiving through said extension. The intent was not to punish those who were continuing to take whatever work they could find.I was informed it did not apply to me because NHES has ruled that my benefit year did not end after the enactment of the bill.

This interpretation, in my mind has left me with some serious doubts about a system that actually does punish you for working, by finding a loop-hole to avoid the intent of a federal law.

I have never taken a dime of assistance -- no food stamps, rental assistance, fuel assistance, etc. I have spent all my savings and drained my 401k to pay a mortgage on a house that I lost anyway. Paid 18 months of COBRA and can't afford healthcare. And this interpretation has left me facing eviction, and last week my storage locker with many of my personal belongings was auctioned off.

There is no way to express my anger and frustration at what is happening here beyond writing a letter to anyone who might be able to actually do something about this. For me, it is obviously too late, but it might help someone else.

Fix HR4213 to allow for retention of benefits from the most current year.

Please tell me what should I do??Hi,I'm having trouble with the EDD California.They have filed a New claim for me without my participation and the amount is $202,from $450 of my parent claim.I was still receiving my first extension, when they sent me a letter that I can file a New claim.At that time I have sent my form for the remaining money(about$250) that I had to get from my First extension.That check never came...instead they sent me a form to fill for a New claim that they filed for me with a back date of Jan.09/2011.I wrote them a letter stating that I didn't file New claim yet, I didn't get a letter stating Benefit Award , but I have received a claim form and that I'm trying to see what is best for me and see if I can continue with second extension and quoting HR 4213 or if EDD wants to put me on a New claim, that amount should be restored to previous amount .It seems that the EDD guy that replied to my letter didn't even read it!He simply said that I will soon be receiving my First check from the New claim.I didn't send the claim form, but what a shock, yesterday I received my check from the New claim - only $182!I haven't cashed the check, I'm afraid that if I do it will mean I accepted their New Claim they filed for me.I don't know what to do.Please, help!I can't possibly live on $182 a weekThank you in advance!

Hello. Your situation was just like mine. I was however nearing end of FEDED (5th ext) with about 5-6 more checks to come when this happened. I had no idea of this DNCP and have emailed them with same response and note that I opened new claim blah blah.. ect. My payments reduced now from $775 to $210 bi weekly. Yea, lower that minimum wage even.. I had to send back first claim or missed getting paid all together and I had t go thru phone interview because I was late sending in because I couldn't reach anyone to explain.. anyhow, they have ignored my last email, no response just new chek at lower amount and appeal forms. So my question is what exactly do I do with this form, what to say, I have a paper trail showing i still had a balance and did not open claim and I should qualify to keep FED ED balance as my benefits are severely reduced. Would you be so kind as to walk me threw what you did with your appeal and I will most likely mirror it. I was going to stash those check as benefits were nearing the end but didn't plan them to stop overnight. I would appreciate help with what to say and what exactly will happen in an appeal hearing. uote=SoCalAaron;17277425]If you've ended up reading this thread because you're searching for information on how EDD is implementing HR4213, and the provisions to coordinate Tiers I-IV with regular benefits, I've got some information to share. Section 3 of HR 4213, made law on July 22nd, provides several options for states to continue to pay Emergency compensation out until exhausted, if a new claim would result in a reduction of your benefits by $100 or 25%. This became an issue in CA for many people when EDD performed their routine quarterly recalculations October 1st.

I just got to the appeal level in my situation, and I suspect others are just getting to this point too.

EDD will automatically open a new claim and new claim year on you anytime after your claim is at least 1-year old, and you have had enough NEW earnings to qualify for ANY benefit amount. For many people who have earned only some wages since they originally filed their first claim, called a "parent claim", this is resulting in a huge drop in their weekly checks, even though they haven't used up their federal extended benefits.

HR4213 was supposed to address this - effectively allowing you to exhaust your emergency compensation in some form before placing you on a new benefit amount. But, in my case, EDD has been arguing that I opened the new claim, and therefore had to accept it, and completely ignoring my questions about the coordination of federal benefits.

I just got done with an appeal hearing today, and the administrative law judge agreed that EDD"s argument that I filed the new claim is absurd. My situation is very unusual, because my new benefit amount changes because of school wages, so I may or may not be eligible under the law, but the hearing officer all but ruled that EDD filed the claim, not me, so he agreed to rule on the coordination of benefits as well, rather than force me to make a second appeal after he rules that I did not open the claim.

He also indicated that even their procedures predated HR4213 - so this issue may just now be coming to a head.

IF you have had a new claim filed on your behalf by EDD before you used up your federal benefits, and you experienced a drop in compensation, it is probably a good idea to appeal. I followed this tact: 1) Appeal whether or not you are required to accept the new claim, and 2) whether your benefits are being correctly calculated under the new law.

Admittedly, HR 4213, Section 3 can be interpreted a couple of ways - but the intention is to ensure that you get which-ever process benefits you the most. So far, it appears that the EDD is completely ignoring the coordination provisions - or doesn't know how to implement it - hence the unusual outcomes described in this thread.

Good luck - I'll share what I learn after my ruling is issued.[/quote]

Fedup Lisa said "Outstanding article. Everyone should read to see if anything in it applies to them. Renews my faith in people doing the right thing! I hope this is successful and manages to blow the cover off another government fubar. By the way, fubar stands for "F** ked up beyond all repair or recognition". I learn something new every day." re:http://www.dailykos.com/story/2012/08/09/1118321/-Mr-President-there-is-a-serious-problem-with-the-EUC08-programhttp://www.dailykos.com/story/2012/08/26/1124397/-Welcome-to-our-21st-century-Watergate---------------------------------------Sum up:re:http://www.dailykos.com/story/2012/09/13/1131213/-The-Obama-Administration-is-Robbing-the-Unemployed-out-of-ARRA-Funds

Daily KOS seems to have "yanked" the TIP JAR for my thread again that was mobbed in minutes by trolls and still got recommended before they hid it (just like my 21st Century Watergate thread). Please reply to the thread and then recommend each other and the Diary that way to show the that the unemployed count, that we stand together, and that we have a voice still (start your own thread and have unemployed friends recommend THAT in support of the Diary).

This is your chance to be heard, and actually listened to this time considering the growing attention.Please don't forget those of us who have been screwed by our governments errors (see above).Thank you for your time and any support you can give...if you don't speak up then everyone will assume things are fine and have no need to extend benefits nor fix an of the implementation problems I have detailed here for the past year.

(ps. Facebook has disabled me from the Democratic convention forward after I posted about the "Part Time Penalty/EUC08 Errors" on Mr. Obama's Facebook page. I am going to have to sue Facebook to get back online it seems on top of everything else right now....)

If Mr. Bernanke holds his ground, then they are correct, this would be unprecidented. To keep printing money until the unemployment rate drops, basically, forcing people who borrow at low rates to hire, it would be fabulous.

The Federal Reserve announced a few new actions today designed to boost growth and jobs. Which begs the question: How much will these new measures help? More precisely, how much can the Fed boost growth on their own, when fiscal policy is pushing in the other direction?

According to Bloomberg and Wall Street Watch, this is being done, open ended until unemployment is in the 7%, basically according to the analysts, really cheap money forcing them to expand now and increasing hiring. It was voted on by the panel, who all but one agreed. It's unprecidented and just what they and others believe is needed. I will bow to the experts here, but if it gets us all working at something other than minimum wage, retail sector jobs, I am hoping it works and quickly.